Energy efficiency standards for TV boxes to save $1bn

Consumers could save more than $1 billion (£0.6bn) on energy bills every year as a result of the new efficiency standards for pay-TV box sets. The US Department of Energy along with a group of organisations have announced non-regulatory standards which will improve the efficiency of set-top boxes by as much as 45% by 2017 […]

Scotland sets energy efficiency standards for new buildings

New buildings in Scotland are set to be more energy efficient following changes to the standards announced by the Scottish Government. Improvements to new homes from October 2015 are expected to cut carbon emissions by around 21% compared to current levels while new non-domestic buildings such as shops and offices will have an average reduction […]

New US limits on power plant emissions

New standards to cut carbon emissions from new-built power plants have been released by the US Government. Under the proposals set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), new large natural gas-fired turbines would need to meet a limit of 1,000lbs of CO2 per megawatt hour while new small natural gas-fired turbines would need to […]

Ofgem launches new standards for energy suppliers

Ofgem’s rigorous new standards of conduct to ensure energy suppliers are treating consumers fairly have come into force this week. The new rules have been introduced as part of the first stage of the energy regulator’s Retail Market Review (RMR) reforms to make the market “simpler, clearer and fairer” for consumers. They cover a range […]

UK businesses back Ofgem’s rules for energy brokers

Almost half of UK businesses said they value help from third parties to compare energy prices across suppliers and negotiate the complexity of their contracts. That’s according to a new survey of 508 businesses, which claims a majority of them back Ofgem’s Code of Practice. It aims to increase the confidence of business customers engaging […]

New standards for ‘positive’ smart meter installation experience

New rules and guidance aimed at protecting customers and making sure they receive a high standard of service when getting a smart meter installed have been launched today. The Smart Meter Installation Code of Practice (SMICoP) sets the minimum standards that energy suppliers have to follow when installing the device in people’s homes, with the […]

Ukraine gets €600m for nuclear safety upgrade

Ukraine is getting a loan worth €600 million (£519m) in total to help upgrade nuclear power plants in the country. The European Atomic Energy Community and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) will provide €300 million (£259m) each for the project. It is expected to help bring Ukraine’s fleet of nuclear plants in […]

SSE’s £20 customer service guarantee

SSE has pledged to give consumers £20 off their bill if the energy supplier fails to meet a new set of customer service commitments. The ‘Customer Service Guarantee’ is part of the company’s wider aim to help consumers save money, make life easier for them and help them when they “need it most”. It has […]

Lord Redesdale: Energy managers need qualifications

Energy managers need to be trained and get qualifications as the industry lacks standards. That’s the view of Lord Rupert Redesdale, who recently launched the Energy Managers Association (EMA) to encourage people get formal training in energy management. He claims 95% of people who call themselves energy managers have no formal qualification in management. He […]

Government propose better consumer protection

Consumers need better protection, Consumer Minister Edward Davey said today. Ministers announced that they wanted to see a simplified consumer landscape supported by public funding for two existing bodies- Trading Standards and the Citizens Advice service. Edward Davey said: “For too long people have been faced with a confusing landscape of different, public, private and […]